You can watch last year's broadcast of the 10u National Title game, with full play-by-play from Daron Sutton, by copying and pasting the following URL into your computer browser: http://www.team1sports.com/index.php/videoPlayer/view?broadcast=85446&referrer=ihigh
Here is the game recap, written by PG Journalist Sean Cunningham who covered the event in Charleston:
The championship game was a rematch from earlier in the tournament, where the Banditos were able to scrape together a 6-5 victory.
The title game was just as tough a battle through the first three innings, but the Banditos exploded and took control of the momentum in the fourth. Vincent Segovia was very good on the mound for Easton Elite before things began to unravel for them, and he performed much better than his final line would indicate.
While the Banditos hammered the ball on offense, the biggest reason they won was because of the outstanding performance from their starter, right-hander Andy Leon.
Leon was exceptional throughout his complete-game effort, as he walked just one batter and gave up three hits. His outing is even more impressive considering how good the Easton Elite offense is. From top to bottom, the Easton Elite lineup has great hitters like Segovia, Jesus Villalobos, and Lucas Mistone. Leon was able to overcome the vaunted Easton Elite offense and keep his team in the game until the offense was ready to get going.
Leon had a simple approach coming into the game. “I was planning on throwing strikes and letting my defense help me,” he explained. “I’ve been throwing mostly fastballs and curveballs.” That approach worked perfectly, as he pounded the zone and his defense made every play behind him.
Banditos coach Tom Green had all the faith in the world with Leon as his starter in the tournament’s biggest game. “He was a stud on the mound, cool as a cucumber,” Green said. “He throws four pitches for strikes, and with a big game, I had no problem at all with putting him out there.”
The Banditos’ offense was stellar all weekend, led by left-handed first baseman McKaylon ‘Mac’ Bowie. Bowie put on a power display during the tournament, hitting five home runs total. “He carried us for the first part of the week, we couldn’t have gotten to the championship game without him,” Green said. “He’s one of those kids where every time he comes up to the plate, he can put one out.”
Easton Elite was able to prevent Bowie from doing any damage in the championship game, but the rest of the Banditos lineup stepped up in his place. Green explained: “the top of our lineup got on base and made thing happens for us. It took a total team effort, everybody contributed something.”
The Banditos are one of the best programs in the country, producing multiple college and professional players year after year. Ray Deleon, the head of the program, explained why the Banditos are so successful: “Our system is that we start with our youth programs, and we build it up to the point where 90 percent of our older teams come from our youth programs. We keep them from eight years old until they’re 17. You add a few kids here and there, and before you know it, you have some pretty good teams.”
The 10u Banditos that won this weekend will likely lead older Banditos teams to championships in the future. The 10 Super25 Championship is just the beginning for a great group of kids, who were able to come together as a team and win something special.